Chapter 135: Do Not Cross the Line

Since Huang Qing had a way, Li Lin listened to her.

That night, Yan Jing stayed at the Li residence, entered the talisman, and hung it in the main hall to absorb lunar yin energy.

Meanwhile, Li Lin practiced dual-cultivation with the two maids.

The next day, Li Lin ate breakfast and went to work.

After washing up, Huang Qing returned to the Huang household with Hong Luan.

Huang Yan was not home—he had gone to work too.

Only the eldest lady and Huang Ling remained at home.

Huang Qing’s arrival greatly pleased the eldest lady.

“Ever since you and Hong Luan left, the house has grown so quiet. Ling never talks, and I sit every day in the back garden admiring flowers and embroidering—I’m turning into a fool.”

Huang Ling, who was reading a book at the time, replied: “You always complain that I talk too much and talk back to you.”

“You do,” the eldest lady grumbled. “You always say things I don’t want to hear.”

Huang Ling’s lips twitched; she turned another page and ignored her mother.

“Mother, you could go out for a stroll,” Huang Qing smiled, sitting beside her. “Or visit my home.”

The eldest lady shook her head: “Going out is only fun with company. Ling won’t budge—she just reads all day.”

“Books enlighten one’s understanding and reveal the nature of all things,” Huang Ling couldn’t help saying.

The eldest lady scolded: “You read too much—you’re turning into a fool.”

Huang Ling sighed: “Mother, I know what you mean. You want me to meet men and marry quickly. But there are no good young men in Yulin County. If I must find one, I’ll have to wait until I reach Jincheng—or return to Jingcheng.”

“You must find one in Jincheng,” the eldest lady insisted. “By the time you get back to Jingcheng, you’ll be ancient.”

Then the eldest lady looked at Huang Qing and asked: “Big sister, why have you come back?”

“To visit Mother and Father.”

“I don’t believe you,” the eldest lady teased. “You’re always clinging to your husband—he comes home, and you can’t bear to leave his side. Unless there’s something important, you’d never return to your natal home.”

Hong Luan covered her mouth and giggled.

Huang Qing felt awkward but said: “You know your daughter’s heart, Mother! Last night, my husband returned with a True Immortal. I’d like Father to gift him a small altar for the True Immortal to reside in.”

The eldest lady narrowed her eyes slightly: “He really went and brought back a True Immortal?”

Then she smiled: “Fine. You don’t need your father’s permission—I’ll give it to you myself.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Huang Qing said, delighted.

On the other side, Li Lin arrived at the county government office’s military office and saw the government office runners with black-and-blue bruises all over their faces.

All of them were like this.

When they saw Li Lin, their eyes lit up with joy—but they hesitated.

Li Lin frowned: “What happened while I was away? Were you beaten?”

Many government office runners laughed awkwardly.

Finally, He Shangjin stepped forward.

His face was also bruised and swollen: “Report, County Wei , a few days ago, the Assistant Prefect brought back several new government office runners. He said that since you were absent, we were temporarily under his command.”

“And then he beat you?”

“Not exactly…” He Shangjin sighed. “The Assistant Prefect said our hands were clumsy and our stance weak, so he hired two experts to train us. If we failed to meet their standards, we were punished.”

Li Lin scanned everyone, his brow furrowing.

Then he snorted and turned toward the ‘Household’ office. The government office runners exchanged glances and immediately followed.

Li Lin entered the Household office and saw over a dozen government office runners lounging or squatting.

They looked up at his official robes, showing some respect—but their eyes held mockery.

Li Lin pushed open the door and saw Assistant Prefect Jiang Jili seated at the main seat, reviewing scrolls.

Hearing the noise, Jiang Jili looked up and smiled: “I wondered who it was—it’s County Wei Li, back from vacation. You’re lucky, abandoning government office duties to go gallivanting, while we slave away. Truly, same work, different fates.”

His tone dripped with sarcasm, stoking anger.

Before Li Lin could speak, another man entered—Huang Ying.

Huang Ying stormed in and snapped: “Jiang, you’re spouting nonsense. My brother-in-law took a ten-day leave, but he arranged everything. While I finished my own duties, I patrolled and investigated cases for him—no task was neglected. You speak recklessly—you’re no gentleman.”

Jiang Jili snorted. He wasn’t ready to confront Huang Ying directly, so he turned to Li Lin: “County Wei , what do you want?”

“I heard you’ve been training the government office runners.”

“No thanks needed,” Jiang Jili sneered. “Your men sit like slobs, stand like beggars—it’s disgusting. I’m merely fulfilling my duty as Assistant Prefect to instill some discipline.”

The fifty-odd government office runners, called useless by this remark, all scowled.

Li Lin laughed: “I see the government office runners and two experts you hired—they’re not impressive either.”

“Oh? You really think so?”

“Of course.”

“Then it’s none of your business.”

“As County Wei , I’m responsible for overseeing all government office runners and village militias in Yulin County,” Li Lin said, meeting his gaze. “So I must assess their abilities.”

“They’re my hires—none of your concern.”

Li Lin smiled: “I’ve already said—it’s my duty. If you refuse to let me test them, I have the authority to remove them from the government office roster.”

“You—”

Jiang Jili clenched his teeth. Then he growled: “Fine. If you want to humiliate yourself, don’t blame me for stripping your dignity. Asheng, Qiang—go to the training hall. Let County Wei Li see your skills.”

Two government office runners in the courtyard grinned and headed straight for the training hall.

Jiang Jili rose from his seat. As he passed Li Lin, he said: “County Wei Li, we’ll go ahead. You still have time to back down. Hahaha!”

Jiang Jili clasped his hands behind his back and laughed loudly as he exited.

Huang Ying, beside him, worried: “Brother-in-law, those two are eighth-rank martialists. You’re only an eighth-rank Spirit Hunter—this is dangerous.”

Everyone knew martialists were far stronger than Spirit Hunters in the early stages.

Only after a Spirit Hunter reached the fourth rank could their strength match a martialist’s.

Li Lin smiled: “No problem. I’m confident.”

Then he walked out.

Soon, the crowd followed him to the training hall.

Assistant Prefect Jiang Jili sat at the main seat of the training hall, looking down at the newcomers with condescension.

A martialist stood in the center, holding a wooden sword, staring arrogantly at Li Lin.

Li Lin walked to a wooden rack, picked up a wooden spear… its tip was also wood.

The training hall was for sparring, not killing—no real blades were kept.

Li Lin stepped before the martialist, bowed, and said: “Li Lin, Yu Family Spear. Please instruct me.”

“Jiang Clan’s lackey, Jiang Asheng!” the martialist sneered coldly. “Expert in Rain-Blade Style. Please instruct me.”

Jiang Jili leaned back in his chair: “Enough talk. I have scrolls to review. Begin.”

With Jiang Jili’s permission, Jiang Asheng charged forward, sword raised.

He moved sideways, blade vertical, shielding his front.

A basic technique against spears—minimizing exposed surface, maximizing parry potential.

Clearly experienced against long weapons.

Li Lin’s expression remained calm; he thrust his spear.

The man tried to dodge—but found the spear seemed to miss.

It brushed past his left side.

Can’t even aim straight—this County Wei is just a pretty shell.

As Jiang Asheng thought this, Li Lin’s left hand, gripping the spear’s butt, flicked the shaft.

A hidden force surged along the spear, bending it suddenly.

The tip curved like a snake and jabbed toward Jiang Asheng’s face.

Jiang Asheng gasped, retreating fast—but the tip chased him, then slammed downward.

He couldn’t dodge. The blunt wooden tip struck his right palm.

Jiang Asheng cried out, dropping his sword.

But it wasn’t over. The spear snapped upward, then swung left and right.

Thwack! Thwack!

Two long, dark bruises appeared on Jiang Asheng’s cheeks.

Li Lin withdrew his spear, stepped back, and smiled faintly.

Jiang Asheng stood stunned—he didn’t understand how he lost so quickly.

He hadn’t even gotten a chance to strike.

Jiang Jili rose involuntarily, staring at Li Lin in disbelief.

An eighth-rank Spirit Hunter defeated an eighth-rank martialist?

That didn’t make sense.

But Li Lin found it normal—he had achieved minor mastery of Spear Intent… Intent.

Not minor mastery of the Yu Family Spear Technique.

Different things.

“Your spear technique…” Jiang Asheng stared at Li Lin. “It’s Spear Intent… you’ve cultivated it to this level?”

Now he knew where he had lost.

He hadn’t even moved, yet the other had seen through his next move.

Li Lin ignored Jiang Asheng and walked toward Jiang Jili.

Just then, Jiang Aqiang leapt out, roaring: “Don’t you dare harm the Young Master… ah!”

Two more slaps rang out.

Two fresh streaks appeared on Jiang Aqiang’s face; he stepped back.

Li Lin arrived before the main seat of the training hall.

Jiang Jili looked at Li Lin and snorted: “You don’t intend to do the same to me…”

Crack!

The spearhead whipped across Jiang Jili’s left cheek.

The sound was crisp.

Blood trickled from Jiang Jili’s lip; a blue mark marred his face.

He steadied himself, glaring at Li Lin as if he wanted to devour him alive.

Li Lin said: “I told you before not to cross the line. You didn’t listen.”

“You dare strike an imperial official!” Jiang Jili roared, eyes red.

“As if I’m not an imperial official,” Li Lin laughed. “I’m hitting you precisely because you’re one. Don’t think you can get away with anything in front of me. I’m in the right here—managing government office runners isn’t your duty. You’re not the Assistant County Magistrate. If you take this to the top, who do you think will suffer?”

(End of Chapter)